Machine for filling containers



July 1, 1924.

C. L. BOND MACHINE FOR FILLING CONT AINERS w m m 1 5 1 a w m J m 4+ m Qw I] J m V 0 ll a". a w a T I 3 I O L c V! F J J/ A... 3 \D 4 i L m 1a a 5 o mw 7 22 o w v 1 a ll 5 I E A 5 5 3 M 3 M H M 7 x v 9 4 M 9 a 3 w m Y W m ....U.%& F 8 l 2|, 9\ 7 8 4 n s a d O h M Fu a 5 ,F 2. A I. m l 4 4 4 4 4 m. 6 9 4 Filed Auz. 4, 1921 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 i IIIIIIIII w 6 3 3 1 xi] m N m Q w o L T A n 0 e 3 g v 9 r0 e 1 o 1 7 1 H 4 o I 3 1G h C Patented July 1, 1924.

' UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

CHARLES L. BOND, OF

BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR r minor I. cum, or 1 JAMAICA PLAIN,

MASSACHUSETTS.

MACHINE FOB FILLING CO'NTAIN'EBS.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, CHARLES L. BOND, a citizen of the United States, and resident of Boston, county of Suffolk, State of Massa- 6 chusetts, have invented an Improvement in Machines for Filling Containers, of which the following description, in connection with the accompanying drawing, is a specification, like characters on the drawing repre- 10 senting like parts.

This invention relates to machines for filling containers with material in a powder or granular form, and it has for its objects to provide a novel machine of this type in which the container to be filled is supported on a vertically movable platform, and in -which the filling mechanism comprises a delivery spout adapted to enter the empty container so that as the material is, delivered to the container. the latter and the platform will be forced downwardly, and in which means are provided for automatically stopping the filling mechanism from operation when the platform has been depressed to a predetermined point.

A further object of the invention is to provide a machine of this type which is constructed to present more or less resistance to the downward movement of the platform, and whereby the material will be delivered to the container under a greater or less pressure. WVith this construction the material may be packed into the container under a considerable pressure, or may be delivered to the container under a light pressure, depending upon the character of the material. A further object of the invention is to provide a device of this type which is so sensitive that it can be used either as a weighing machine to deliver a predetermined weight to each container, or as a filling machine which delivers a predetermined volume to each container.

A further object of the invention is to provide a machine of this type which is simple in its construction and is easily operated, but which is at the same time positive in its operation.

Further objects of the invention are to improve generally machines of this type, all as will be more fully hereinafter set forth.

In order to give an understanding of my Application filed August 4,1921. Serial No. 489,893.

invention, I have illustrated in the drawings a selected embodiment thereof, which will now be described, after which the novel features will be pointed out in the appended claims.

In the drawings, Fig. 1 is a front view of a machine embodying my invention.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged vertical sectional view through the hopper and discharge spout.

Fig. 3 is a detailed view of the releasing means for the clutch.

Fig. 1 is an enlarged section on the line H Fig. 1.

Fig. 5 is, a fragmentary perspective View of the circuit-closing device.

My improved machine comprises a vertically movable platform on which the container to be filled is supported, a filling mechanism having a discharge spout adapted to enter the container so that as the material is delivered to the container, the latter and the platform will be forced downwardly, means for positively delivering the material through the discharge spout, and means for stopping the operation of the delivery mechanism when the platform has been depressed to a predetermined point.

The operative parts of the machine are sustained on a suitable frame, which is herein shown as comprising uprights 1, rising from a base 2, and-suitably connected together by cross members 3 and 4.

The platform on which the container to be filled is supported is shown at 5, and it is illustrated as being carried by a vertically movable rod 6, which in turn is pivotally sustained on two parallel arms 7 and 8, that are pivoted to one of the uprights at 9 and 10 respectively. lVith this arrangement, the platform 5 can have a vertical movement, but will always be maintained in horizontal position.

The arm 8 is shown as prpvided with a counter weight 11, which can be adjusted thereon and which serves to balance the weight of the platform and rod 6.

The container to be filled is indicated by dotted lines at 12 in Fig; 1, and it may be in the form of a bottle or a carton or a can, ormay have any other shape or construction. The carton is filled from a filling mechanism, which comprises a hopper 13, herein shown as carried by the cross members 3and 4, and which is adapted to receive the material to be filled, said hopper having an opening 14 in its top, through which the material maybe introduced. Said filling mechanism also comprises a discharge spout 15 at the lower end of the hopper, and through which the materlal is delivered to the container 12, and means for positively feeding the material through the discharge spout. The discharge spout 15 is of a s1ze adapted to enter the container, and 1t is so constructed that when an empty .contamer is placed on the platform, and-the latter is raised, the discharge spout will enter the container and the delivery end of the dlscharge spout will be adjacent to thebottom of the container, as shown clearly in Fig. 1.

For feeding the material through the discharge spout positively, I prefer to use a. feed screw 16, as said screw will function not only tofeed the material when it is rotated but will also act as vent the material from being discharged when said feed screw is idle. screw is carried by a shaft or spindle 17, and is given its rotation by means of a bevel gear 18, which meshes with another bevel gear 19, carried on a drivlng shaft, sustained in suitable bearings 20 mounted on a frame. The driving shaft has a driving pulley 21 thereon, by which it is driven, and this pulley may be operated from any suitable source of power. i v

I have herein shown a motor 22 for operating the shaft, the latter being belted to the pulley by the driving belt 23. The belt pulley 21 is shown as connected to the shaft through the mediumof a clutch 24, which may be of any suitable construction,

' and which is herein shown as operated by a ment of the collar 28 clutch actuator 25, pivoted 'to the frame at 26, and having a forked arm 27, which operates in a The clutch is constructed so that the move toward the right Fig.-

1 will throw the clutch into engagement, and movement in the opposite direction'will disengage the clutch. The clutch actuator is shown as being acted .on by a spring 29, which normally tends to disengage the clutch. p

Means are provided for throwing the clutch into engagement whenlthe platform 5 is raised, and for holding said clutchin" engagement during the descending move-' ment of the reaches a' predetermined point, at. which time said means becomes inoperative and the clutch is disengaged automatically by the spring 29.. Therefore, when an empty container is placed on the platform 5, and the latter is raised into the position shown in Fig. 1 to cause the delivery spout to enter a valve to pre- I This feed ened. So long as the latch is in groove in a sliding collar 28. I

" will be locked shaft 43, andsaid member has a second latch 45, 46. .This latch 45 is connected platform and until the latter f said container, the clutch will be thrown into engagement, thereby rotating the feed screw 16, and said clutch will be held in engagement 'as the platform 5 with the container descends, until the container has been filled to the time. the clutch is automatically relased.

To accomplish this end, I have provided a rod or connection 30, which is pivotally connected at one end to the clutch actuator 25, and at the other end it is pivotally connected to an elbow lever 31, which in turn is pivoted to the frame at 32. One arm of this elbow lever is pivoted at 33 to one mem ber 34 of a toggle device 34-3 5. The toggle member 35 is pivoted at 37.

When the toggle device is straightened, as shown in full lines Fig. 1, the clutch will be thrown into engagement through the connections 30-31, and because of its toggle construction said toggle device, when straightened, acts as a lock to hold the clutch in engagement. When the toggle device is broken, then the spring 29 acts automatically to disengage the clutch.

movement of the rod 6 necessary to carry anempty container into filling position, will operate to straighten the toggle and there-- provided for locking the been depressed to a pre- The means I have herein its straightened positionis being filled and until purpose comprise a latch '90 cans are provided whereby the upward the rod rises, and thereby 39 pivoted to an extension 40, formed on the toggle member 35, and adapted to engage a shoulder 41 when'ithe toggle is straightwith "the shoulder, the toggle from member 35 engagement movement. This shoulder 41 is formed on a rocking member 42,

which is mounted to turn about a pin or rigid therewith an arm '44, which is adapted to engage to the armature .48 of a magnet 49. So longas the magnet is deenergized, the armature I48 willbein' its lowered position, and the to hold the latch 45 will thl iSibe Operative arm 44 in the position'shown in Fig. 3, and

pivoted to the frame at by a link 47 thus theshoulder 41 will inturn be oper'n- 'tive' to maintain the v toggle'device 34- 35 straightened When the platform 5 has been lowered to a predetermined point, the magnet 49 is energizcd, thus raising the armature 48 and releasing the latch45 from-the arm 44. This will allow the rocking member 42 to turn into the dotted line position, thus releasing the latch-39 and allowing the toggle 34-35 to breakinto IE/he dotted line position. This permits the s ring 29 to function to disenga e the clutch. The magnet 49 is in a normally open cir cuit, which becomes closed automatically when the platform has been depressed to a predetermined point. This. circuit is shown as energized by the battery 63, which is connected to the magnet through two circuit connections 50 and 51, the connection 51 having therein a switch which is normally open, but which is closed when the platform is depressed to the predetermined point. This switch comprises a contact member 52, which is secured to but insulated from the frame 1, and which is connected to the magnet by the Wire 53. The switch also includes a contact arm 54, pivoted to a bracket 55, that is carried by but insulated from the frame, saidarm normally resting on a pin 56 of insulating material which is carried by a bracket 57, secured to the rod 6. This bracket 57 is adjustably mounted on the rod 6, so that its position thereon can be varied. It will be so ad'usted that when the platform is in its li ed position shown in Fig. 1, the contact arm 54 will be held some distance above the contact 52 and the circuit, therefore, will be open. The adjustment of the bracket 57 will be such, however, that when the platform 5 has been depressed to the predetermined point at which the container is filled sufliciently, the contact arm 54 will be brought into engagement with the contact 52, as shown in dotted lines Fig. 1, and when this occurs the circuit through the magnet 49 will be closed and the latter will become operative to trip the latches 39 and 45. This will allow the toggle device to break, thus permitting the spring 29 todisengage the clutch.

The circuit for the magnet 49 also includes two contact members 58-59, which are secured to but insulated from the frame, and an arm or switch member 60, carried by but insulated from the toggle member 34, and adapted to enter between said contacts, thereby to close the circuit at this point. The purpose of this construction is to provide for opening the circuit as soon as the clutch has been disengaged. When the platform 5 is elevated, and the toggle device 3435 is straightened, the contact 60 will be entered between the contact 58-59, thus closing the circuit at this point, but such elevating movement of the. platform will raise the contact arm 54 off from the contact 52, thus opening the circuit between said contacts. The circuit will remain open until the rod 6 has been depressed to such a point that the contact arm 54v will rest on or engage the contact 52, at which time the circuit is closed, thereby releasing the latch 39, and

said circuit will remain closed until the toggle 3435 breaks and opens the circuit between the contacts 58-59.

The delivery spout 15 is detachably secured to the hopper, so that feed spouts of different sizes may be used, according to the size of the container. The connection between the feed screw 16 and the gear. 18 is also a detachable one, thus permitting the use of feed screws of different sizes to correspond to the size of the delivery spout.

The gear 18 is shown as carried by a shaft section 61, to which the feed screw spindle is detachably secured, as shown in 62.

Situated within the hopper are one or more stirrers or agitators, which have for their purpose to maintain the material in the hopper in a loose, free-flowing condition. These stirrers are mounted on a sleeve 63, through, which the shaft section 61 extends, and which is rotatably mounted in suitable bearing 64 carried by the hopper. Said stirrers are indicated at 65, 66 and 67 respectively. The sleeve 63 is driven from the gear 18 by means of reducing gearing, so that the rotation of the stirrers is relatively slow compared to that of the feed screw. The said sleeve 63 has fast thereon a gear 68, which meshes with a small gear 69, ro-

tatable about a stud 7 O. The small gear 69 has rigid therewith a larger gear 71, which meshes with and is driven by a small gear 72, rigid with the ear 18.

The operation of the device is as follows: When the machine is at rest, the platform toggle device 34-35 will be broken and the clutch will be disengaged. The operator takes an empty container and places it on the platform 5, and then raises the platform with the container thereon into the osition shown in Fig. 1, so that the deivery spout 15 will enter the container. The final upward movement of the platform will straighten the toggle device 3435, and thus throw the clutch 24 into engagement, thus setting the feed screw' 16 in operation to fill the container. straightening movement of the toggle device 3435 also closes the circuit between the contacts 58-59. As the material is delivered to the container by the feed screw, said container and platform will be forced downward, and when they have reached such a position that the contact arm 54 is brought against the contact 52, the circuit will be closed through the magnet, thus tripping the latch 39 and allowing the clutch 24 to be disengaged.

7 3 is a brake evice constructed to apply a retarding or brakin action on the drive shaft when the clutch is disenga ed, the purpose of this being to bring t e feed screw to rest as soon as the clutch is disengaged.

The degree of firmness with which the This .to the downward volumes or predetermined weights.

material is packed into the container will depend upon the resistance which is offered movement of the platform, and this can be varied by adjusting the counter-weight :11. If the counter weight is adjusted to the left Fig. 1, it will ofi'er The herein described device can be used equally well for delivering predetermi i id e foregoing describes the operation when the machine is operating to deliver predetermined volumes to the container. In order to deliver predetermined weights the device may be adjusted sothat when the platform 5 is fully elevated the delivery spout 15 will not enter the container 'and'the counterweight to any great extent, 11 will be adjusted so'that it will be just overbalancedby the desired weight in the container. When used in this way material will-be'delivered to the container as above described till the weight. of the container and the material therein overbalance the counterweight 11', at which time the platform will descend thus closing the circuit at the contacts 52,54, and causing the clutch to be disengaged, The manner of mounting the platform-5 on thearms 7 8 makes a very'sensitive weighing device which is practically free from friction and which is-accurate in operation.

It will be noted that the circuit 50, 5 1 is arranged tobe opened at two points and also that after the circuit has been closed it will first be opened between the contacts,

' 58, 59. The advantage ofthis construction is that any arcing which will be created by the breaking of the circuit when the container is filled will occur between the contacts 58, .59, 60 and not between the contacts 54, 52. Consequently the latter contacts will not be subjected to the destructive action resulting from arcing and said contacts will I always remain in condition to make a good electrical contact when they are brought together. 7 Another advantage of this construction is thatwhen the container is filled and the latform 5 is depressed the circuit will be roken thus though the gagement.

While I have illustrated a selected em- -bodimentof my invention I do not wish to be'limi tedto the constructional features s own.

I I claim: 1. Ina machine combination with contacts 54 and 52 remain'ln enfor containers, the a vertically-movable plat- -as the container deenergizing the magnett) evenform to receive the container to be filled, of means to deliver material to said container; said container and latform being depressed ls, means including a clutch to operate the device. for "holding the clutch in operation, a magnet for releasing said device, a circuit for the magnet arranged to be closed at two places, and meansto close the circuit at one place when the platform is raised to bring the container into filling position and at the other lace when the platform is lowered to a predetermined point.

In a machine of the class described, the combination with avertically-movable platform to receive the container to be filled, of delivery means to deliver material to the container, a clutch to actuate said delivery means, a clutch-controlling mechanism rendered operative when the platform is raised to throw the clutch in engagement and hold it in engagement, a magnet to release the clutch-controlling device, a" circuit for the magnet arranged to be closed at two different places, means to close the circuit at one place when other place when the platform-is lowered to 'a predetermined point.

erate the delivery mechanism, a latch device to hold the clutch in engagement, electrically-actuated means to trip the latch when the platform has been lowered to a predeterrmined point and including a circuit arranged to be closed at two places with means to close the circuit atone place when the platform is raised to bring the container into filling position and at the other place when the platform is lowered to a predetermined point, and automaticall -operative means to disengage the clutch when the latch is tripped. I

4. In a machine of the class described, the combination with a vertically-movable platform to receive the container to be filled, of delivery means todeliver material to said container, a clutch to actuate said delivery means, a clutch-controlling device operating normally to disengage the clutch, a latch to hold the clutch-controlling device in a position to maintain the clutch in engagement, a magnet to release the latch, a circuit for the magnet arranged to be closed'at two places, means to close the circuit'at one place when the platform is raised to bring the container into filling position and to close said circuit at. the other place when delivery mechanism, a

the platform is raised and at an-.

is lowered to a redetermined the platform the latch w' be released pomt, whereby and the clutch automatically disengaggdi. h

t e i delivery means to deliver material to said container, a clutch to actuate said delivery means, a clutch-controllingdevice operating a is arrange .in operation,

device, a circuit said feeding mechanism,

form is lowered to a normally to disengage the clutch, a latch to hold the clutch-controlling device in a position to maintain the clutch in engagement, a magnet to release the latch, a circuit for the magnet arranged to be closed at two places, means to close the circuit at one place when the platform is raised to bring the container into fillin position and to close said circuit at the ot er place when the platpredetermined point, whereby the latch will be released and the clutch automatically disengaged, the movement of the clutch-controlling device for disengagin the clutch operating to open the circuit at t e first-named place.

6. In a machine of the class described, the combination with a vertically movable container-receiving platform, of a deliver spout, means to de iver material throug said spout into a container situated on the platform, means including a clutch to operate said delivery mechanism, a latch to hold the clutch in operation, electricallyactuated means to release the latch when the platform has been lowered to predetermined position by the filling ofthe container, said means including a circuit which to be opened at'two places and means. to disengage the clutch when the latch is released.

7 In a machine for filling containers, the combination with a vertically movable platform to receive the container to be filled, of means to deliver material to said container; said container and platform being depressed as the container 11s, means including a clutch to operate the delivery mechanism, a device for holdin the clutch a magnet for re easing said for the magnet arranged to be closed at two places, and means to close the circuit atone place when the platform is raised to bring the container into filling position and at the other place when the platform is lowered to a predetermined point, said means operating to open the circuit at the first-named place when the clutch is disengaged.

8. In a machine of the class described, the combination with a vertically movable platform to receive the container to be filled, of a delivery spout to deliver material to said container, feeding mechanism to feed material through said spout,a clutch to operate means to throw the clutch into engagement when they platform is raised, a latch device to hold the clutch in engagement, electrically-actuated means to trip t e latch when the platform has been lowered to a predetermined int, said means including a circuit whic is, opened and closed at two places and means to close the c rcuitat one lace when the platform is raised and at t e other place when the platform is lowered to said predetermined point and automatically-operative means to disengage the clutch when the latch is trlpped.

9. In a machine of the class described, the combinatlon with a vertically movable platform to receive the container to be filled, of means to deliver material to said container, said container and platform bemg lowered as the container fills, a clutch to operate the delivery mechanism, a latch to hold the clutch in engagement, a magnet to release the latch, a circuit for the magnet, a clrcuit for the magnet which is arranged to be closed at two places, means to close the circuit at one place when the platform 1s raised and to close the circuit at the other lace when the platform has been depresse to a predetermined point whereby the latch will be tripped and the clutch disengaged.

10. In a machine of the class described, the combination with a vertically movable platform to receive the container to be filled, of delivery means to deliver material to sa1d container, a clutch to actuate the said delivery means, a latch to hold the clutch in engagement, a magnet to release the latch, a circuit for the magnet arranged to be closed at two points, means to close the circuit at one point when the'platform israised to bring the container into filling position, and means to close said circuit at the other point when the platform is lowered to a predetermined point whereby the clutch will be disengaged.

11. Ina machine of the class described, the combination with a, vertically movable latform to receive the container to belled, of delivery means to deliver material to the container, a clutch to operate said delivery means, a toggle device, connections between said toggle device and clutch 1 whereby the clutch will be thrown into engagement when the toggle device is straightened, means to straighten the toggle device by the upward movement of the platform to bring the container into filling position, a latch to hold the toggle device straightened, and means to trip said latch when the platform is lowered to a predetermined point by the filled container.

12. In a machine of the class described, the combination with a vertically movable platform to receive the container to be filled, of delivery means to deliver material to said container, a clutch to operate said between said toggle device and clutch container into filling cried, a latch to hold such toggle straightened, a magnet to trip the latch, a.

delivery means, a toggle device, connections whereby the clutch is thrown into.engagement when the toggle device is straight; device circuit for the magnet arranged to be closed at two points, means to close the circuit at one point when the toggle is straightened, means to straighten the toggleby the movement of the platform necessary t bring the position, and means to close the circuit at the other point when the platform has been lowered to a predetermined oint.

13. n a machine of theclass described, the combination with a vertically-movable platform to receive the container to :be filled, of delivery means to deliver material to said container, a clutch to operate said delivery means, atoggle device,'connecti0ns between said toggle device and clutch whereby the. clutch is thrown into engage ment ,when the toggle device is straightcontainer into filling position,

ened, a latch. to hold such toggle device straightened, a magnet totrip the latch, a circuit for the magnet arranged t be closed at two points, means to close the circuit at one point when the toggle is straightened, means to straighten thetoggle by the movement of the platform necessary to bring the close the circuit at the other point when the platform has been lowered to a predeterand means tomined point," whereby the magnettrips the" latchand the toggle is broken, the breakmg 'of the toggle opening the 'circuit'at the r first-named point.

"14:, In awmachine-of the class described,

the combination with a vertically-movable led, of delivery means] to deliver material ment when the toggle is-straightened and isv thrown out of engagement when the toggle is broken, automatically-operative means tending to break the toggle device, a latch t hold the toggle device straightened, a magnet to trip the latch, a circuit for the -.40 Iplatform to receive the container to be magnet arranged to be closedat two places,

means to close the circuit at'oneplace when the toggle is straightened, means to straighten the toggle by the movementiof the platform necessary to bring the con tainer into filling position, and-means to close the circuit at the other place when the platform has been lowered to a predetermined and allows the toggle deviceto break and the clutch to be disengaged, the breaking. of the toggle device opening the circuit at have signed my extent, whereby the magnet trips the latch 

